OC Sheriff’s Office files Charges in Shooting Investigation

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has filed charges against a Westminster man in relation to an early Wednesday morning shooting near Walhalla. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of 24-year-old Tyler Mark Broome of Dewey Street on one count each of murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and entering a premises after a warning. The investigation by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office began Wednesday morning as deputies from the Uniform Patrol Division were dispatched around 3:35am to an address on Quarter Horse Trail in regards to reports of a trespassing. While enroute, deputies were notified that shots had been fired and the homeowner had been shot. Once deputies arrived, they were directed to the rear of the residence by the homeowner’s wife where they discovered the homeowner. Deputies administered first aid to the homeowner until paramedics arrived and the homeowner was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment. The homeowner, 63-year-old Robert Steven McDowell, died at 5:57am due to complications associated with a gunshot injury, according to a release from Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis. Deputies also administered first aid to another individual, identified as Broome, who was the suspect in the original call of trespassing. According to investigators, Broome shot McDowell as McDowell was holding Broome at gunpoint after McDowell discovered Broome on the property. McDowell returned fire and shot Broome. Broome was also transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital. Broome was served with a trespass notice from the incident address on Quarter Horse Trail on June 21, 2017. Deputies also began the initial portion of the investigation and gathered evidence while also notifying investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division, who responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw says that there is not any further threat to the public at this time. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation and no further information will be released at this time, according to Captain Greg Reed from the Criminal Investigations Division.